In the first-ever meeting between the two nations, Belgium and Ukraine could not be separated as they laboured to a 0-0 draw, and after all four sides finished with four points in Group E of the UEFA European Championships, Domenico Tedesco’s men finished second behind Romania on goals scored. Ukraine, meanwhile are the odd ones out, finishing bottom on goal difference with their heavy defeat to Tricolorii on matchday one coming back to haunt them.🚨 Belgium vs France, Germany vs Denmark and Italy vs Switzerland are already confirmed for the next stage of the Euros. pic.twitter.com/N9P9fJ7JS4— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 26, 2024 With all four sides in the group sitting on three points ahead of kick-off, everything was to play for. Belgium started in full control however, with a high press proving effective against a deep lying Ukraine defence. No matter how tight a defence, Kevin De Bruyne has always managed to unlock it and pick a pass throughout his career, and this was the case inside seven minutes after his expertly picked out Romely Lukaku, but his tournament of bad luck continued as he didn’t get enough on his shot to roll it past Anatoliy Trubin. After the fast start, Belgium began to become unstuck as the Ukrainian defence stood firm, frustrating their opponents. Serhiy Rebrov’s men began to grow into the game as the half wore on but created only half-chances that failed to test Koen Casteels in the Belgian goal – sending both sides goalless into the halftime interval.🇫🇷 FRANCE vs BELGIUM 🇧🇪#EURO2024 round of 16 match confirmed! pic.twitter.com/MVWtC1WZQ4— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) June 26, 2024 Both sides’ struggles continued after the break with neither goalkeeper being tested in their respective goals. Lukaku fashioned a chance just after the hour mark when cutting in from the right, but again, his tame effort was comfortably gathered by Trubin. Yannick Carrasco provided some much needed energy to the contest when introduced in the 62nd minute, and he almost broke the deadlock after cutting in from the left and rifled a shot from the edge of the box but Trubin made a strong stop. Ruslan Malinovskyi came the closest for Ukraine after his corner kick almost caught Casteels out and curled goalwards, but the goalkeeper made a last-ditch save right on the goal line.In the end, both sets of players failed to find the elusive goal, and Slovakia and Romania’s 1-1 draw in Frankfurt ensured that goal difference and goals scored were the decisive factors for qualification. Things do not get any easier for Belgium after stuttering their way to the Round of 16, with France up next.EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP – GROUP STAGESunday Switzerland – Germany 1-1 (1-0)/Ndoye 28 – Fullkrug 93/Scotland – Hungary 0-1 (0-0)/Csoboth 90+10/Monday Albania – Spain 0-1 (0-1)/Torres 13/Croatia – Italy 1-1 (0-0)/Modric 55 – Zaccagni 90+8/Tuesday Netherlands – Austria 2-3 (0-1)/Gakpo 47, Depay 75 – Malen 6 (og), Schmid 59, Sabitzer 80/France – Poland 1-1 (0-0)/Mbappe 56 pen – Lewandowski 79 pen/England – Slovenia 0-0Denmark – Serbia 0-0Wednesday Slovakia – Romania 1-1 (1-1)/Duda 24 – Marin 37 pen/Ukraine – Belgium 0-022.00: (7.80) Georgia (5.20) Portugal (1.43)22.00: (2.65) Czech R. (3.40) Turkey (2.80)***odds are subject to change***
